PAT Council To Discuss Redistricting

The PAT Council will look at reorganizing the districts they represent
to address the shifts that have resulted in some districts being larger
than others.

During their recent monthly meeting, Kristin Bolton of District 4 told
members redistricting was one of the key issues the Nominating Committee,
which she serves on, wants to look at this year. It was pointed out that
some councilors represent less than 40 constituents while others serve
more than 90.

Discussion followed relative to how many representatives and/or districts
are needed and how best to divide up the campus, by departments or locations.

“The issues we deal with are so broad; they’re no specific
to where we work,” said District 3 rep Mary Essley.

In other news, Chairman Guy Eaton reported that Karen Gilbert, assistant
to the Vice president for Student Affairs, has been appointed to the
MUB Board of Governors; Kristin Bolton and Brian Bailey are being recommended for the Presidential Awards of Excellence Review Committee and Larry Pignataro, District 5,
will serve on the Central Budget Committee.

It was also reported that NHPTV has adopted a policy giving supervisors
or department heads the last say in whether an employee can sit on the
PAT Council. According to Sharon Demers at HR, there isn’t a specific
policy relative to serving on the OS or PAT Councils.

“Councils serve in an advisory capacity to the President and therefore
are providing a service that is of benefit to the university and are
granted release time. Because meetings take place during the work day
it is expected that employees will discuss their desire to serve and
obtain mutual agreement with the supervisor,” Demers said. “The
president typically sends a letter to the supervisor encouraging their
support of the endeavor.”

Tracy Boyle noted she wants to form a committee sponsored by the PAT
Council to organize a Ben Thompson picnic and cleanup in light of the
fact that Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton will be coming
to campus to give the commencement address. Boyle reported there hasn’t
been a Ben Thompson Day during the last few years.

Boyle also reported on proposed employee policy changes including one
that would allow for background checks for all new hires. A draft has
also been drawn up to address a Hurricane Katrina-like event or one expected
to last more than a week. Also under consideration is a new leave policy.